Welcome to the Cafe du Watchog, also called RPGen. We're a sandbox style Pokemon site with a focus on everyday life in the Pokemon world. Trainers, Pokemon, criminals, cosmic forces, and normal citizens are all welcome to join in the fun. Kick back and enjoy a cup of coffee with us!

A particularly excited redhead sat on the top of an empty desk. She swung her feet back and forth, leaning the top half of her body forward as she watched on. Her name was Flannery. And, unusually, she was in Rustboro City. In the Pokemon Trainer's Academy. Sitting on some absent kid's desk way in the back, unwilling to obstruct the view of the front of the class.

There was a special presentation today, something she wouldn't miss for the world. The Rusboro City's Gym Leader was there. Roxanne. She was wearing her favorite outfit. A black dress with a white undershirt, the usual reddish-purple stockings, and her hair tied into buns. She looked cute as could be. Roxanne was quite the intellectual. School, Trainer's Academy, there was nothing she couldn't do.

She bobbed back and forth as Roxanne spoke to the class. Something about sitting perfectly still just bothered her. Movement was absolutely required for Flannery to focus.

Flannery raised her hand, hoping to give something for her to speak about, "What about type effectiveness? Should we focus on that entirely, or should we work towards another goal?" She grinned, not entirely content with waiting to be called on, she interrupted Roxanne mid-sentence.

"So as you can see, when -- Hmm?" Putting down her piece of chalk, Roxanne turned away from the black-board, facing her class with an irritated expression as her eyes searched the length and breadth of the people assembled before her, seeking out the fool who dared to speak out of turn. The class watched her expectingly -- seemingly confused as to why she had stopped talking, but otherwise sitting respectfully, so it didn't take long for her to find the source of the talking. Namely, a redheaded fellow gym leader, the last person she would have expected to come to the Pokemon Trainer's Academy -- her good friend Flannery.

Though, 'friend' seemed hardly enough when it came to describing what they had. Though it never failed to redden her cheeks, Roxanne had to admit that the two had been 'committed' for quite some time now. She had only been this happy once before, namely when she had graduated from the Academy and become the gym leader of Rustboro City in her own right. She locked eyes with the redhead and gave her a small smile, grateful to have her presence there, and clasped her hands behind her back.

"A good question. Perhaps we can do a bit of both," Reaching into a pocket of her uniform, Roxanne pulled out a pair of reading glasses and placed them on her face before skimming through her book to the appropriate pages. "If you'll please turn in your textbooks to page two-thirteen..." She waited for a few seconds, listening to the rustling of paper in the background as the students did as she asked. Unlike many Trainers, who grew lax as they became more experienced, Roxanne felt that it was a good thing to review the basics every so often. Many grew too comfortable with themselves, and it was usually their downfall -- a pitfall that she hoped to avoid.

"As you all likely know, each Pokemon possesses a certain 'type'. For example, Nosepass, here," Roxanne gestured to one of her most treasured Pokemon, situated on the desk next to her. As serious as she was, Nosepass was attempting its favorite pastime -- to attempt to emulate her as much as possible. It sat without movement on her desk, a pair of glasses over its seemingly closed eyes and a textbook in its stubby little hands. She was unable to suppress a smile at the sight. "Is a pure Rock-type, but many Rock-types that you may find are part Ground-type, for example. It's very important to make sure that you know what you will be facing going in. For instance, Rock-types have many weaknesses: from grass, to water, fighting-types..." She paused, taking a breath. "But despite these weaknesses, they have many strengths as well, such as against Electric-types. Knowing how to avoid these weaknesses and best utilize the strengths your Pokemon has is key to ensuring that you will do well in any battle you may face along the way." She smiled at her class, looking up from the book and clasping her hands behind her back once again.

Flannery nodded along, flashing a grin at Roxanne before continuing to listen to answer. Not that she didn't know any of this. She'd been a gym leader for the better part of 12 years now. If she didn't know anything, she'd have no job. So type advantages or disadvantages were just common knowledge to her. But giving Roxanne more time to talk was always nice. Roxanne loved teaching. Something that, she assumed, most Gym Leaders shared.

Then Nosepass. That adorable hunk of stone decided to show off his imitation skills. He could be an actor if his body actually fit the role. But there weren't a lot of roles for Nosepasses. Not as far as Flanney knew. Then again, she wasn't looking online for auditions. Maybe the market WAS huge.

Flannery leaned back and forth again, rocking the desk a little. And as Roxanne finished, a student spoke up. "This is why type advantage is what matters! Real trainers need to focus on typing! And then they'll win!" Flannery lifted an eyebrow. "Hey, kid, you know that's just a part of it, right?" She smiled, getting off fhe desk, "If you don't train your Pokemon, make them stronger, work around disadvantages...you're not getting very far. No matter what, you'll never be able to ignore typing. You'll always be weak to something. In fact, some people focus on overcoming that entirely."

The kid scoffed, "But if you plan ahead, you can basically sweep an entire time. Like my primeape..." Flannery chuckled, "What, he gonna beat Roxanne?" Flannery winked at Roxanne. The kid's eyes widened, "Yeah! If he wants to! He could beat Nosepass real quick!" He stood up.

Roxanne blinked in surprise as she listened to the child's outburst, a small frown overtaking her features. The first thought that came to mind was exactly who had been teaching him about Pokemon battling, but the answer there was of course obvious: no one. She supposed she couldn't fault him for his lack of knowledge, however, being so young and inexperienced, but he would no doubt have a long way to go towards being a proper battler if he was so hung up on typing that he failed to see just how much more there was to it.

Picking up a ruler, Roxanne slapped it against Nosepass's head, producing a loud 'thwack' noise that instantly drew all of the attention of the class back to her. "That's quite enough," She began as Nosepass casually flipped to the next page of its textbook, entirely oblivious to the 'light' blow to its head. "Flannery is correct, and you'd all do well to take notes," She smiled at the redhead before continuing. "Typing may have its place in Pokemon battling, to be certain, but it should never be your main focus. Your Pokemon will always have a weakness to something, and it may not always be a specific type. It's up to trainer and Pokemon both to work around them and grow together. When you learn to be prepared for any situation, no matter what Pokemon you choose to use, then you may truly consider yourself a Pokemon Trainer."

"Yeah, yeah," The kid responded nonchalantly, waving off her words. "Whaddaya say? Your Nosepass against my Primeape?" Roxanne frowned angrily, a bit irritated by his gall, and looked to Flannery for assistance, though the redhead merely smirked back at her and innocently shrugged her shoulders as means of a reply. Sighing heavily, Roxanne stepped around the side of her desk, placing her hands on her hips. "I suppose if I must take a more unorthodox approach to ensure you all understand, I will. Nosepass, if you will...?" She watched as Nosepass carefully closed the textbook, treating it almost as one would treat a holy relic as it set it down on the desk, before taking off its glasses and placing them on top of the book's cover. Without a word, it hopped off of Roxanne's desk, thudding against the floor and causing it to shake slightly before waddling over to stand at her side.

Roxanne cracked the tiniest of smiles at her Pokemon. Nosepass may not have been the most intimidating thing out there, but in battle it certainly knew what it was doing, and always made up for the lack of intimidation factor with outright adorableness.

The kid was cocky. And Nosepass was adorable. But Roxanne was even cuter. Flannery stretched a bit. Things were about to go down. And Flannery might be playing cheerleader. Where were pom poms when you needed 'em?

Flannery walked over to the nearby by window, sticking her thumb it it's direction and looking to the actual instructor, who was sitting nearby watching the current challenge take place. "This place good for battling. "Yes. Usually. We have a small area for the children to battle. I would rather the classroom not get damaged."

Flannery grinned. "Great. How about there?" She asked, still grinning. The youngster stood up, "That works! Then after this, I'm coming for your badge." He ran out the door, throwing his Pokeball to reveal a very angry, almost wild looking Primeape. Probably a recent catch, too. "Looks like someone's excited." Flannery chuckled. "Time to see what you're made of, eh, Nosepass?"

The instructor slowly began ushering the kids to the small arena outside as every began setting up. Flannery decided she'd act as referee. She'd done it before, after all.